R&H Suburb Profile MACLEAY ISLAND

Macleay Island is an island located in Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland, about 30km from Brisbane in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. It is 6.5km long and 4km wide at its widest point and is in the Redland City Council local government area.

The permanent population is about 2000 but the town has a high number of weekend owners, with nearly a third of the 1259 dwellings listed as unoccupied at the time of the 2006 census.

Protected by North Stradbroke Island to the east, Mackay Island is connected to the mainland by ferries and barges, which also connect to inter-island transport for the four Bay islands.

Macleay Island has sandy beaches and mangrove foreshores.These are popular spots for fishing, swimming, sailing, picnicking and barbecues. Other recreational facilities include boat, bowling and golfing clubs. Macleay has a range of shops including cafes, restaurants and supermarkets. It has an enthusiastic Progress Association which runs the island's well-stocked library.

The island has a primary school, day care centre, ambulance station and volunteer fire brigade. There is also a bowls club, golf course and boat club, as well as several service organisations including Rotary and Lions. Hospitals are nearby on the mainland. Macleay also has an arts complex, comprising a gallery and pottery shed.